Railway truck



April 22, 1941. D, s. BAFzRows RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Sept. 15, 1938 Dona/6L SBG-I'M QS,

Patented Apr; 22, 1941 RAILWAY TRUCK Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington-Gould Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application September 15, 1938, Serial No. 230,086

20 Claims.

This invention relates to railway trucks and more particularly to a spring plankless type thereof.

One of the objects of the instant invention is the provision of an assembly associated with "side frames of a railway truck of the spring plankless type which, while allowing a longitudinal movement of one side frame with respect to the other, controls the recited movement and is capable of restoring displaced side frames to their normal position in transverse alignment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an assembly associated with the side frames to form a flexible connection therebetween and capable of resiliently resisting the longitudinal movement of one side frame with respect to the other.

-A feature of the invention is to provide an arrangement or assembly connecting associated side frames of a railway truck, said arrangement including an element or bar having end portions pivotally connected to the side frames and a housing formed therein adjacent said end portions for the accommodation of a resilient means which reacts against spaced portions of the side frames to control the movement of said side frame.

Another feature of the invention is to arrange and construct the assembly so that the resilient means may be easily and readily adjusted transmeans slidably associated with the device and normally abutting the side frames, a spring means extending through the transverse vertical plane of the side frames and having end portions reacting against the spaced means, and adjustable means reacting against the intermediate portions of said spring means for initially energizing the spring means and adjusting the transverse position thereof; the spaced means being so arranged and constructed as to be capable of moving in one direction only from normal positionso that, upon transverse disalignment of the side frames, only the portion of the spring means on one side of the transverse vertical plane of the side frames will be additionally energized, whereupon the longitudinal movement of the side frames will be resiliently controlled and, after a predetermined movement, returned to their normal position in transverse alignment.

These objects and features as well as numerous others will become apparent from an inspection of the accompanying drawing which discloses, in various figures, a form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partially in' plan and partially in horizontal sectionof aportion of a railway truck embodying a form ofthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a view partially in elevation and partially in vertical section taken along the lines 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the (arrows.

Figure 5 is asectional view taken along the lines 55 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, with a portion of the structure of Figure l removed to more clearly illustrate the construction.

By now considering the various figures of the drawing in detail, wherein like reference characters are employed to designate like parts, the numeral I indicates a railway truck of the spring ,plankless type which includes laterally or transversely spaced longitudinally extending side frames 2, only a portion of the lowermost extremity of one being illustrated. While only a associated structure, which are not shown in the drawing, may be of the typeand arrangement disclosed, described and claimed in my to shift, move or be displaced longitudinally of the truck structure with respect to the other side frame, thereby allowing, within certain predetermined limits, the side frames to assume a position out of transverse alignment and, in this manner,

present a desirable flexible structure.

The sideframes each comprise a tension member 3 having column guides-4 spaced longitudinally of the :truck and extending-substantially vertically from each tension member to form or define a Window opening 5 therebetween. Each side frame tension member includes a horizontal top or upper web 6 vertically spaced from a horizontal bottom or lower web I both of which are connected adjacent their transverse edges by vertically disposed, laterally spaced, inner and outer flanges 8 and 8 respectively, to form a box-shaped section extending between the vertical planes of the column guides. The top web 6 of each tension member is desirably extended outwardly and inwardly or transversely of the side frame beyond the flanges 8 and 8*, respectively, as at 9, to provide an adequate or sufficient bearing area for a nest or group of bolster supporting springs (not shown) which occupies the lower area of the window opening 5. The portions 9 of the top web are reinforced by gussets or triangular supports H] which extend from the flanges8 and 8 and are spaced on either side of the transverse vertical plane of the side frames.

Disposed on either side of and adjacent the transverse vertical plane of each side frame is a rib or securing flange ll vertically directed and extending downwardly and outwardly from the top web portion 9 and the inner, flange 8, respectively, to form spaced jaws directed inwardly of the truck structure.

In order to provide a flexible tie means between two associated side frames of a railway truck so as to maintain the side frames in a predetermined transverse relation, an assembly, device or connecting means, generally designated as at I22, extends laterally of the truck structure between the side frames preferably adjacent the lower extremities thereof.

The assembly or device comprises a transverse rod or bar [3 having an intermediate portion [4 formed H-shape in vertical cross section and including a horizontal web l5 terminating in vertically disposed spaced flanges or legs l6. As will be understood, the intermediate portion I4 need not be limited to an H-shape section for it may conform to any configuration, such as a T, channel, Z or any other desired shape.

Each end of the intermediate portion [4 is provided with a member or housing I! which is desirably formed integral with the intermediate portion and spaced inwardly of and positioned adjacent the corresponding side frame. Each member or housing includes a substantially vertical inner wall 18 which intersects the plane of the web and connects the spaced flanges or legs I6. Positioned outwardly of each inner wall is an outer or end wall l9 extending longitudinally of the truck structure and having portions on'either side of the transverse vertical plane of the side frames offset outwardly toward the corresponding side frame, as at 20. The inner and outer walls I8 and 19, respectively, are joined integrally adjacent their top and bottom edges by vertically spaced horizontal upper and lower walls 2| which substantially complete the formation of the members or housings.

Extending outwardly from each end wall toward the corresponding side frame is a vertical apertured lug or eyelet 22 which is positioned between associated ribs or jaw forming flanges ll; sufficient space or clearance being provided between the lug 22 and the corresponding straddling flanges to allow the lug to assume a horizontal angular relation with respect to the flanges without imparting abnormal strains or spreading forces to the flanges. The lugs 22 and ribs II are rem-ovably secured or connected together by means of horizontal pivot keys or pins 22 which extend through substantially aligned apertures in the lugs and ribs; the keys or pins being retained in operable position by cotters (not shown) associated with each end thereof outwardly of the flanges H or by any other preferred method.

From the foregoing it will be observed that, in so far as the present structure is concerned, one side frame of a truck structure may lead or is free to assume a position out of transverse alignment with the other or opposite side frame, While at the same time the side frames are movably connected adjacent their lower extremities, and therefore the side frames are maintained in a predetermined transverse spaced relation.

While the side frames are arranged to assume an abnormal position out of transverse alignment, a purpose of the invention is to resiliently control the longitudinal movement of one side frame with respect to the other of the railway truck and, after a predetermined movement, to restore the side frames to their normal position or relation. To accomplish this purpose there has been associated with each member or housing a resilient element 23, preferably formed of a plurality of arcuat-e plates or as a semi-elliptic spring, which is concavely curved toward the corresponding side frame and extends through the transverse vertical plane of the side frames. The leaves or plates of each semi-elliptic spring are maintained in assembled relation by means of a central spring band or clip 24. Each spring extends in a horizontal plane longitudinally of the truck structure through a suitable pocket 25 formed by the corresponding member or housing. Each spring is retained in a predetermined operable position by means of ears or fingers 26 which project toward each other and inwardly of the housing from the upper and lower housing walls 2!. The fingers 26 are spaced longitudinally of the truck structure and embrace the spring band, with suflicient clearance being provided between the ears and band to permit an adjustable transverse movement of the spring.

Formed adjacent each longitudinal end of the member or housing is a ferrule, bushing or thimble 2! projecting toward the corresponding side frame from the end wall I9. The ferrules are terminated short of the side frames and have axial bores 28 opening into the housing pockets 25; the bores are preferably square in cross section but, as will be understood, may be formed of any outline.

Provided on each tension member inner flange 8 are abutments or bearing pads 29 positioned in alignment with the ferrule bores 28. Each ferrule forms a guideway for a movable element, follower or plunger 30 having a stem 3| occupying the ferrule bore. The plunger stem is formed of a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the thimble bore 28 and has one or the outer extremity thereof normally abutting the aligned bearing pad 29. of each plunger has a head 32 formed thereon in arrear of and normally in bearing relation with the housing end wall 19 which limits or arrests the movement of the plunger in one direction only or toward the corresponding side frame when in normal position. The plunger heads are engaged by the ends of the semi-elliptic springs which serve to urge the plungers toward the side frames.

By reason of this particular arrangement and The other or inner extremity Q construction it will be observed that when the device assumes an angular relationship, other than a true right-angle relationship, with respect to the side framesa plunger on one side of the transverse vertical plane of the side frames and the diagonally opposite plunger will be moved or urged inwardly of the truck structure by the corresponding side frames, thereby flexing or additionally energizing the corresponding half of the semi-elliptic spring. This angular horizontal movement of the device will result in the other two plungers being carried away from their associated side frame bearing pads by the housings, and consequently no additional energy will be built up in the corresponding or associated halves of the semi-elliptic springs. This arrangementwill, therefore, allow one-half of each semielliptic; spring to react against the corresponding plunger and side frame to return the displaced side frames to their normal position or transverse alignment without first overcoming the forces of the other half portion of the corresponding spring. By the use of a plurality of leaves or plates in forming the resilient means, the movement of the side frames will be cushioned or dampened in that when the spring plates are flexed, frictional forces will be created between the leaves, thereby snub'bing the relative longitudinal movement between the side frames.

Each spring is provided with a spring cap or follower 33 positioned in the housing pocket 25 and having a central relief or recess 34 on one or the outer side thereof for the reception of the corresponding spring clip which prevents the spring cap from shifting outwardly of the housing. The spring capsor followers have inclined or oppositely sloping faces 35 on their other or inner side in spaced relation to inclined or oppositely sloping surfaces 36 formed on the inner wall I 8 of the housing.

Interposed between each spring cap face 35 and housing end wall surface 36 for maintaining a predetermined amount of compressive forces in the associated spring are oppositely disposed wedge members 3'! having correspondingly formed surfaces 38 in bearing relation with the faces 35 and the surfaces 36. The wedge members have portions extending into the housing pocket and are adapte'd to be. urged or forced inwardly of the housing or toward one another by means of a bolt 39 which extends through aligned apertures in the wedges. One of the wedges is provided with a rib 49 positioned adjacent the associated bolt aperture and adapted to engage ahead 41 of the bolt to preventthe bolt from turning or rotating when the effective length thereof is being shortened or lengthened. The springs are initially flexed or energized by a movement of the wedges inwardly of the housings, and if a set has taken place in the springs after a prolonged or continued use they may be additionally energized by a continued movement of the wedges toward one another from the position illustrated.

While a form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made thereto without departing from within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spring-plankless truck, in combination, spaced side frames having comiecting means associated with the lower portions thereof to control the movement of said side frames with respect to one another, said connecting means comprising a bar having the ends thereof mov-t ably connected to said side frames, housing means formed in said bar adjacent each end thereof,

another portion reacting against an associated.

housing means.

2. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames and connecting means associated with the lower portions thereof to control the movement of the side frames with respect to one another, said connecting means comprising a means extending between and pivotally associated with said side frames, abutments outstanding from each side frame and spaced on either side of said means, and a longitudinally extending transversely acting leaf spring means removably secured to said means adjacent each end thereof, each of said leaf spring means having transversely spaced portions reacting against associated abutments and an intermediate portion reacting against said means.

3. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames and connecting means associated therewith to restore longitudinally displaced side frames to their normal position, said connecting means including a transverse bar having ends thereof pivotally connected to said side frames adjacent their lower portions, transversely opening housings formed in said bar adjacent its connections to said side frames, longitudinally spaced pads outstanding from each side frame inwardly of the truck, and a resilient means extending longi udinally of said truck through each of said housings having spaced portions reacting against said pads and an intermediate portion reacting against the associated housing.

4. In a spring-plankless truck which includes spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another and having tension members, the combination of a bar, spaced flangesextending inwardly of said truck from said tension members, pivot means extending through apertures in said bar and flanges, abutmentmea-ns directed inwardly of each tension member and spaced from said flanges, longitudinally extending transversely acting leaf springs removably secured to said bar adjacent each end thereof; said leaf springs having a portion reacting against said abutment means so as to resiliently control the movement of said side frames, and means formed integral with said bar and associated with an intermediate portion of each leaf spring for maintaining the latter in operable position.

5. In a spring-plankless truck which includes spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another and having tension members, the combination of a bar having an eyelet at each end,an apertured flange extending from each tension member on each side of an associated eyelet, removable means extending through each eyelet and adjacent flanges, a housing formed integrally with said bar adjacent each eyelet, longitudinally spaced abutments formed on each tension member on either side of said apertured flanges, and a leaf spring extending through each housing having spaced portions reacting against said abutments so as to control the movement of saidside frames, said leaf springs having their central portions reacting against said housings.

6. In a spring-plankless truck which-includes spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a bar having a member attached to each end thereof, an eyelet formed on each member, a pocket in each member and spaced from the associated eyelet, apertured means extending from said side frames, pivot means extending through each eyelet and associated apertured means, a leaf spring extending through each pocket and having portions thereof reacting against each side frame in spaced relation for controlling the movement of said side frames and a central portion reacting against an associated member.

7. In a spring-plankless truck which includes spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a transverse bar having an integral member associated with each end thereof, said members each including a lug and a transversely opening pocket spaced inwardly of the truck from said lug, J'aws formed on said side frames and overlapping said lugs, a pin extending through substantially aligned apertures in each lug and associated jaws, and a leaf spring extending through each member pocket and having end portions thereof reacting against the associated side frames for resisting relative longitudinal movement between said side frames and an intermediate portion of each spring reacting against an associated member.

8. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a cast bar pivotally connecting said side frames adjacent the lower portions thereof, said bar having a housing formed integrally therewith adjacent each end thereof, a leaf spring extending through each housing having end portions reacting against the associated side frame for resisting relative longitudinal movement between said side frames, and means formed integral with said housings on each side of bands of said springs for retaining the springs within said housings.

9. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a transverse bar having the ends thereof pivotally secured to said side frames, housings formed integrally with said bar adjacent each end thereof in spaced relation to the associated side frame, abutments on said side frames inwardly of the truck and spaced longitudinally thereof on either side of said bar, longitudinally directed leaf springs extending through said housings and having the ends thereof reacting against said abutments so as to resiliently control the movement of said side frames, and ears formed integrally with said housing for engagement by said springs for preventing longitudinal shiftin of the latter. 10. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of spaced means extending inwardly of the truck from each side frame, a bar having extensions formed on the ends thereof and positioned between said spaced means, connecting means extending through apertures in said spaced means and extensions, a housing formed in said bar adjacent each end, abutments on said side frames spaced on either side of said spaced means, semi-elliptic springs extending through said housings and removably secured to said bar; said springs having portions reacting against said abutments to thereby control themovement of said side frames, and transversely movable means interposed between said springs and housings for initially energizing said springs.

11. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of spaced means extending inwardly of the truck from each side frame, a bar having extensions formed on the ends thereof and positioned between said spaced means, connecting means extending through apertures in said spaced means and extensions, a housing formed in said bar adjacent each extension, abutments formed on said side frame spaced on either side of said spaced means, and semi-elliptic springs extending through said housings and reacting against said abutments to thereby control the movement of said side frames, and transversely movable means interposed between said housings and springs for initially energizing the latter.

12. In a spring-plankless truck which includes spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a bar having members associated with each end thereof, means extending outwardly from said members adapted to be pivotally connected to said side frames, ferrule means formed in said members and extending toward said side frames, plungers extending through said ferrule means and normally abutting said side frames, longitudinally extending leaf spring means associated with said members and abutting said plungers so that, upon a relative longitudinal movement of said side frames, said spring means, through said plungers, will serve to return said side frames to normal position, and means formed integrally with said members for retaining said leaf spring means in operable position.

13. An assembly for resiliently controlling the longitudinal movement between two relatively movable spaced elements, said assembly comprising a bar terminating in members at each end thereof, means pivotally connecting said members to said elements, spaced means slidably associated with each member and normally abutting said elements, leaf spring means associated with said members and having end portions bearing against said spaced means, and adjusting means adapted to urge said leaf spring means against said spaced means and engaging intermediate portions of said leaf spring means for initially energizing said leaf spring means.

14. In a spring-plankless truck having spaced side frames adapted to move longitudinally of the truck with respect to one another, the combination of a bar having members associated with each end thereof, means extending outwardly of said members adapted to be pivotally connected to said side frames, guiding means formed in said members, followers extending through said guiding means and normally abutting said side frames, spring means extending longitudinally of said truck associated with said members and abutting said followers, and transversely movable adjustable means adapted to urge said springs against said followers for energizing said springs.

15. A device for resiliently controlling a relative longitudinal movement between two side frames comprising an intermediate bar, housings formed integrally with said bar adjacent the ends thereof, means extending from each of said housings for pivotal connection to said side frames, spring means in each of said housings having portions thereof reacting against said side frames and housings, means formed integrally with said housings for preventing shifting of said spring means, and transversely movable means reacting againstsaid spring means and housings for maintaining said spring means under a predetermined compression.

16. A mechanism for resiliently controlling a relative longitudinal movement between two side frames'comprising an intermediate bar terminating short of said side frames, housings associated with each end of said bar, means extending from said housings for connection to said side frames, spring means positioned in said housings and reacting against said side frames and housings, spring caps positioned in said housings and bearing against said spring means, tapering surfaces on said spring caps, and transversely adjustable means positioned in said housings and bearing against said spring cap tapering surfaces and housings urging said spring means toward said side frames.

17. A device for resiliently controlling a relative longitudinal movement between two side frames comprising an intermediate bar, housings formed integrally with said bar adjacent the ends thereof, means extending from said housings for pivotal connection to said side frames, longitudinally disposed transversely acting spring means in said housings having portions thereof reacting against said side frames and housings, and adjustable wedge means interposed between said spring means and housings for maintaining said spring means under a predetermined compression.

18. A mechanism for resiliently controlling a relative longitudinal movement between two side frames comprising an intermediate bar, housings integrally formed with each end of said bar, means extending from said housings for connection to said side frames, spring means positioned in said housings and reactingagainst said side frames, spring caps bearing against bands of said spring means and positioned in said housings, and longitudinally movable wedges adapted to urge said spring caps toward said side frames for initially energizing said spring means.

19. A device for resiliently controlling the relative longitudinal movement of laterally spaced side frames comprising a cast bar member, hous ings formed integrally with and adjacent each end of said bar member, means integral with said housings for pivotal connection to said side frames, longitudinally spaced movable means associated with said housings and normally bearing against said side frames, spring means removably stained in said housings reacting against said movable means, said movable means being arranged to move inwardly of the housings only from normal position, wedges associated with said spring means, tapered surfaces in said housings, and means engaging said wedges and surfaces for energizing said springs.

20. A device for resiliently controlling the relative longitudinal movement of laterally spaced side frames comprising a member having housings integrally formed therewith adjacent the ends thereof, means extending from said housings pivotally connected to said side frames, movable means associated with said housings and spaced on either side of said means, longitudinally disposed spring means positioned in said housings having opposite ends thereof bearing against said movable means, said movable means being arranged to move inwardly of the housings only from normal position and wedge means reacting against said springs and housings for urging said springs against said movable means.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

